Day Three of St Petersburg International Economic Forum

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual event that brings together political leaders, business executives, and experts from around the world to discuss and address key economic issues. This year, the forum is held between 14 and 17 June.

On the third day of SPIEF Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the forum, which this year is being held under the theme "Sovereign Development - the Basis for a Just World. Let us unite our efforts for the sake of future generations". The head of state will traditionally make a keynote speech at the plenary session of the forum.

High-ranking representatives from Algeria, India, Qatar, Pakistan, Venezuela, Hungary, Myanmar, Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will also be present at the event. At this year's forum, the UAE enjoys the privileged "guest country" status, with Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri leading the country's delegation.

Putin Addresses SPIEF 2023 Plenary Session

The St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is running from 14 to 17 June at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Center.

Sputnik comes live as Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune address the plenary session of the 26th St Petersburg International Economic Forum. In his speech, Putin will give a detailed assessment of the Russian economy and outline its main prospects.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier told reporters that the plenary session in which Putin was taking part would last about two hours.

'Multipolar World Order Strengthening, This is Inevitable Process' - Putin

The escalation of the Ukrainian crisis into a full-blown NATO-Russia proxy war last year served to accelerate the creation of an alternative to the US and Western-led global order.

The emerging multipolar world order is strengthening, and Russia's adversaries have failed utterly in their push to isolate the country from the international economy, President Vladimir Putin has said.

"Objective market laws work stronger than the current political conjecture. This shows that the ugly neocolonial international system, which is ugly in its essence, has ceased to exist, while the multipolar world order is strengthening. This is an inevitable process," Putin said in a plenary address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday.

UAE Hopes to Welcome 1Mln Russian Tourists This Year - President

President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Friday that this year his country hopes to host 1 million Russian tourists.

"I believe that cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries plays a big role in the development of our bilateral relations. For example, bilateral tourism is developing greatly. We hope to welcome 1 million Russian tourists this year," Al Nahyan said at talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Putin Expects Russia's GDP to Grow by About 1.5-2% by Year End

Russia's GDP growth by the end of 2023 may be about 2%, and in April it increased by 3.3%, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"I agree with those of our experts who believe that the growth [of GDP] will still be up to 1.5%, and maybe more — under 2%. This will help our country to keep its place among the leading economies of the world," Putin said during his address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Putin: Russia Must Increase Defense Spending to Ensure Country's Security

Russia must to increase spending on strengthening the defense and security of the country, this must be done to protect sovereignty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"Naturally, additional funds were needed to strengthen defense and security, and to purchase weapons. We must do this to protect the sovereignty of our country. I must say that in general, and it justifies itself, including from an economic point of view," Putin said during his address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Inflation in Russia Lower Than in Many Western Countries and Close to Historical Low of 2.9% - Putin

Inflation in Russia is now lower than in many Western countries and is close to its historical low, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, adding that it amounts to 2.9%.

"We have maintained a responsible, balanced budgetary and monetary policy. Their effective combination made it possible to reach the minimum figures of unemployment, as well as inflation, which is now lower in Russia than in many Western countries — both in the eurozone and in other regions — and is close to the historical minimum, is 2.9%," Putin said during his address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Putin to Address Special Operation, Its Effect on Economy at SPIEF - Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin is still open to any contacts to discuss options Ukrainian settlement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"President Putin was, is and remains open to any contacts in order to discuss possible options for solving the Ukrainian problem," Peskov told reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The Ukrainian problem can be solved in many ways, the official said, adding that the Russian leader supports any set of ideas to end the conflict.

A look behind the scenes of #SPIEF2023 with Sputnik: Reporters await Vladimir Putin’s speech at press room pic.twitter.com/bPnq6SsziE

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) June 16, 2023

Caucasian power: Chechnya’s might stands strong at #SPIEF2023 pic.twitter.com/30DSKgGcuq

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) June 16, 2023

Russia Not in Economic Isolation, No Vacuum Possible in Economic Affairs - Kremlin

Russia is not in economic isolation, there can be no vacuum in economic relations because when some directions are closed, others open, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"[Russia] is certainly not in isolation. There can be no vacuum in economic affairs. If some directions are closed, then other directions automatically open and become more profitable and more profitable," Peskov said.

Russian, UAE Heads to Meet in St. Petersburg Ahead of SPIEF Plenary Session - Kremlin

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in St. Petersburg on Friday and hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said.

"On June 16, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in St. Petersburg. In the morning of June 16, he will hold a meeting with president Putin, during which they will consider issues related to the work of the forum, and, of course, issues of the development of bilateral relations will be discussed in general terms. Also, of course, topical international and regional problems will be discussed," Ushakov told reporters.

The talks between the leaders will take place "immediately before the [SPIEF] plenary session," the official said, adding that the presidents "developed trusting, constructive relationships."

Selain Masjid Al Aqsa Tempat Suci Umat Kristen Menjadi Sasaran Serangan Israel

Polisi Israel menahan seorang jemaah Palestina di kompleks Masjid Al-Aqsa di Kota Tua Yerusalem saat bulan suci Ramadhan, Rabu (5/3/2023). Media Palestina melaporkan polisi menyerang jemaah Palestina, menimbulkan kekhawatiran akan ketegangan yang lebih luas.(AP PHOTO/MAHMOUD ILLEAN)

Serangan Israel terhadap tempat suci umat Kristen di Yerusalem dan Haifa mengalami peningkatan dalam beberapa tahun terakhir.

Penasihat Majelis Ordinaris Katolik di Tanah Suci, Wadie Abu Nassar mengatakan, dalam lima tahun terakhir, 157 serangan dilakukan terhadap tempat suci Kristen dan pada 2022 tercatat 40 serangan terdokumentasi terhadap situs suci, biarawan dan biarawati.

"Di kota Haifa, beberapa insiden provokatif dilakukan oleh beberapa orang Yahudi yang religius, di dekat Biara Mar Elias di Gunung Karmel," kata Abu Nassar, dilaporkan Middle East Monitor, pada hari Kamis, 15/06/2023.

Abu Nassar mengatakan, dalam lima tahun terakhir Yerusalem menyaksikan serangan terhadap tempat suci Kristen dalam skala besar. Sementara tempat suci lainnya menjadi sasaran serangan tetapi pada tingkat yang lebih rendah. Selain 157 serangan yang terdokumentasi terhadap tempat suci umat Kristen, ada sejumlah besar serangan yang tidak terdokumentasi.

"Hampir setiap hari ada serangan yang mencakup meludahi biarawan dan biarawati, khususnya di Kota Tua Yerusalem, dan kasus ini benar-benar memprihatinkan, terutama karena frekuensinya baru-baru ini meningkat," ujar Abi Nassar.

Abu Nassar menyalahkan pemerintah Israel atas meningkatnya serangan terhadap kesucian dan simbol Kristen. "Pemerintah Israel yang berkuasa sedang menyebarkan suasana beracun, membuat kelompok Yahudi yang religius merasa bahwa mereka berada di atas hukum dan memiliki kekebalan dari hukuman," ujarnya.

Pada Februari lalu, anggota komunitas Kristen di Kota Tua Yerusalem mengatakan, mereka merasakan ada peningkatan intimidasi dan tekanan dari ultranasionalis Yahudi. Sebelumnya seorang pria yang diidentifikasi oleh otoritas gereja sebagai seorang radikal Yahudi dipukuli dan ditahan setelah dia diduga merusak patung Yesus di Church of the Flagellation.

“Ini adalah gereja yang memperingati penderitaan Yesus, dan tepatnya di sini, melakukan (perusakan patung Yesus) adalah sesuatu yang sangat buruk,” kata Pastor Eugenio Alliata, yang bertanggung jawab atas koleksi arkeologi di Museum Terra Sancta.

Insiden itu mengikuti serangkaian peristiwa lainnya, termasuk grafiti yang bertuliskan "Kematian bagi Orang Armenia" dan "Kematian bagi Orang Kristen" ditulis dalam bahasa Ibrani di dinding Biara Armenia Saint James, awal Januari.

Polisi Israel telah meningkatkan patroli di sekitar situs-situs Kristen di Yerusalem, ketika sejumlah gereja melaporkan kekerasan dan intimidasi oleh orang-orang Yahudi setelah pengambilan sumpah pemerintahan sayap kanan Perdana Menteri Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Dalam dua bulan terakhir, menurut saya, sejak awal pemerintahan baru, serangan seperti ini menjadi sangat-sangat biasa. Dan masalahnya adalah kami merasa tidak ada yang bisa kami lakukan untuk mengatasinya," ujar seorang pemilik restoran di Kota Tua, Miran Krikorian.

Selain perusakan patung Yesus, Patriarkat Latin Yerusalem, kantor Uskup Agung Katolik Roma ritus Latin Yerusalem, mengatakan, setidaknya ada empat insiden vandalisme atau pelecehan kekerasan yang dilaporkan.

Salah satunya, sekelompok ekstremis Yahudi melemparkan kursi dan meja di sekitar area dekat markas Kustodi Tanah Suci. Hal ini menciptakan "medan pertempuran" di kawasan Kristen. Sementara di tempat lain, pemakaman Kristen di Yerusalem juga dirusak.

“Ketika tidak ada reaksi tegas dari pemerintah, itu tidak hanya mendorong orang-orang ini untuk berperilaku sama, tetapi juga memberi kami perasaan bahwa pemerintah ingin memperlakukan minoritas Kristen seperti itu,” kata kanselir Patriarkat Armenia di Yerusalem, Pastor Aghan Gogchian.

Lorong-lorong sempit yang membentuk Kota Tua mengelilingi beberapa situs tersuci bagi orang Yahudi, Kristen, dan Muslim. Komunitas lokal telah lama mengembangkan cara hidup berdampingan dengan damai.

Polisi tidak secara langsung menangani tuduhan bahwa insiden anti-Kristen sedang meningkat. Tetapi mereka mengatakan, penangkapan telah dilakukan, dan beberapa dakwaan diajukan. Sejauh ini pemerintahan Perdana Menteri Benjamin Netanyahu maupun Menteri Keamanan Nasional Itamar Ben-Gvir, belum memberikan tanggapan terkait peningkatan insiden kekerasan di lingkungan Kristen.

"Polisi meningkatkan patroli di sekitar Kota Tua, rumah ibadah, dan tempat-tempat suci dengan maksud untuk menjaga keamanan, ketertiban umum, dan kebebasan beragama untuk semua," kata pernyataan polisi.

LIVE UPDATES - Russia’s Precision Weapons Wipe Out Ukrainian Strike Drone Production Sites

©Russian Defence Ministry

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by precision weapons against the Ukrainian army’s attack drone production sites in the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Thursday.

"Last night, the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by airborne long-range precision weapons against the sites of the production of strike unmanned aerial vehicles. All the designated targets were destroyed. The goal of the strike was achieved," the spokesman said.

Russian forces eliminate two Ukrainian subversive groups in Kupyansk area

Russian forces eliminated two Ukrainian subversive groups and 30 enemy troops in the Kupyansk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, operational/tactical and army aircraft and artillery of the western battlegroup inflicted damage on the enemy manpower and equipment in areas near the settlements of Masyutovka, Molchanovo, Kislovka and Berestovoye in the Kharkov Region. The enemy’s losses in that direction in the past 24 hours amounted to 30 Ukrainian personnel, two motor vehicles and a Msta-B howitzer," the spokesman said.

In addition, Russian forces eliminated two Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups near the settlements of Sinkovka in the Kharkov Region and Novosyolovskoye in the Lugansk People’s Republic, the general reported.

Russian forces destroy over 50 Ukrainian troops in Krasny Liman area

Russian forces destroyed over 50 Ukrainian troops and three artillery guns in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"Over 50 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles, Akatsiya and Gvozdika motorized artillery systems and a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in the past 24 hours," the spokesman said.

In areas near the settlements of Terny in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Kuzmino in the Lugansk People’s Republic, the activity of two Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups was thwarted, the general reported.

In addition, aircraft and artillery of Russia’s battlegroup Center inflicted damage on the enemy units in the Krasny Liman direction in areas near the settlements of Nevskoye and Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Serebryansky forestry, Konashenkov reported.

Russian forces destroy 340 Ukrainian troops in Donetsk area

Russian forces destroyed 340 Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the battles in that direction, as many as 340 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles and a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in the past 24 hours," the spokesman said.

In areas near the settlements of Novomikhailovka, Novgorodskoye and Slavnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army’s 24th mechanized, 79th air assault and 47th artillery brigades were obliterated, the general reported.

Russian forces repulse five Ukrainian attacks in Donetsk area over past day

Russian forces repelled five Ukrainian attacks in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Donetsk direction, five enemy attacks were repulsed in the past 24 hours in areas near the settlements of Razdolovka, Pervomaiskoye, Krasnogorovka and Maryinka in the Donetsk People’s Republic by active actions of the southern battlegroup," the spokesman said.

In areas near the settlements of Artyomovo, Zvanovka, Viyemka and Avdeyevka, the battlegroup’s missile and air strikes inflicted damage on units of the Ukrainian army’s 24th, 54th and 110th mechanized brigades, the general reported.

Russian forces repel two Ukrainian attacks near Vremevka in DPR

Russian forces repelled two Ukrainian attacks near the Vremevka bulge in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), destroying 25 enemy troops and three tanks over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the last 24-hour period, Ukrainian armed forces continued attempts at offensive operations in the south Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk areas. In the area of the Vremevka salient, two enemy attacks were repelled in the past 24 hours near the settlements Novopol in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Levadnoye in the Zaporozhye Region by decisive operations of defending units, strikes by aircraft and fire by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems from the battlegroup East. As many as 25 Ukrainian personnel and three tanks were destroyed," the spokesman said.

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian command post in DPR

Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian command post in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"Near the settlement of Kamyshevakha in the Donetsk People’s Republic, a command post of the Ukrainian army’s 128th mountain assault brigade was destroyed," the general reported.

Russian forces destroy 155 Ukrainian troops in south Donetsk, Zaporozhye areas

Russian forces destroyed roughly 155 Ukrainian troops in the south Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas in the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"The Ukrainian army’s total losses in those directions in the past 24 hours amounted to 155 Ukrainian personnel, three tanks, two armored combat vehicles, a French-made Caesar self-propelled artillery gun, a Msta-B howitzer and a D-30 howitzer," the spokesman said.

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian ammo depot in Zaporozhye area

Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian ammunition depot in the Zaporozhye area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"Near the settlement of Omelnik in the Zaporozhye Region, an ammunition depot of the Ukrainian army’s 65th mechanized brigade was destroyed. In addition, the activity of a Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance group was thwarted near the settlement of Zagornoye in the Zaporozhye Region," the spokesman said.

In areas near the settlements Novodarovka in the Zaporozhye Region, Neskuchnoye and Velikaya Novosyolka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces inflicted damage on amassed manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian army’s 128th territorial defense brigade, 31st mechanized and 1st tank brigades, the general reported.

"In the Zaporozhye direction, missile strikes inflicted damage on units of the Ukrainian army’s 47th mechanized brigade in the area of the settlement of Lyubitskoye in the Zaporozhye Region," Konashenkov reported

Russian forces destroy over 35 Ukrainian troops in Kherson area over past day

Russian forces destroyed over 35 Ukrainian troops and two howitzers in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kherson direction, over 35 Ukrainian personnel, 11 motor vehicles, a Msta-B howitzer and a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of damage inflicted by firepower," the spokesman said.

Russian forces down two Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets in DPR

Russian forces shot down two Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"Fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 plane near the settlement of Krasnoarmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and air defenses downed a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter near the city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.

Russian air defenses down 25 Ukrainian combat drones in past day

Russian air defense forces intercepted five rockets of the HIMARS and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems and destroyed 25 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the past 24 hours, five rockets of the HIMARS and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems were intercepted. In addition, 25 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed in areas near the settlements of Shipilovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Yelenovka, Spornoye and Zelyony Gai in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Removka and Novoye in the Zaporozhye Region and Proletarka in the Kherson Region," the spokesman said.

During the last 24-hour period, operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groupings of forces struck 105 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 132 areas, he said.

In all, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 444 Ukrainian warplanes, 238 combat helicopters, 4,630 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 surface-to-air missile systems, 9,994 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,124 multiple rocket launchers, 5,121 field artillery guns and mortars and 10,964 special military motor vehicles since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov reported.

Video - Russian military shows off double tank kill

The Russian Defense Ministry has released live-action footage from the onboard cameras of an attack helicopter showing two Ukrainian tanks being destroyed by guided missiles in quick succession.

The grainy footage, which was extracted from the onboard computer of a Ka-52 helicopter and posted to the ministry’s social media on Thursday, shows the Ukrainian tanks targeting Russian positions in southern Donbass.

The armored vehicles, which appear to be main battle tanks, are standing next to one another. A third object – apparently a military engineering vehicle – is seen near the tanks.

The helicopter’s crew fired two guided missiles in quick succession at the tanks, hitting both of them. The vehicles caught fire and began emitting thick plumes of black smoke, the footage shows. The Russian military said both tanks were destroyed along with their crews in the attack.

The Ka-52 advanced Russian attack helicopters have been extensively used in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, which has been raging for over a year already. Although the helicopters have been in service for over a decade already, the ongoing hostilities are the first major conflict in which they have seen action.

Kapal Api Group Indonesia Open 2023 - Ginting vs Jojo di Perempatfinal

7 Wakil bukutangkis Indonesia yang lolos ke perempatfinal Kapal Api Group Indonesia Open, di nomor tunggal putra Ginting dan Jojo, ganda putra, Fajar/Rian, Leo/Martin, Pram/Yere, ganda putri, Apri/Fadia, ganda campuran Rivaldy/Pitha.

Anthony Sinisuka Ginting lolos ke perempat final Indonesia Open 2023 dengan susah payah usai kalahkan Rajawat Priyanshu di Istora Open, hari Kamis, 15/06/2023.

Ginting menang 20-22, 21-15, 21-15. Kesalahan Rajawat dengan pukulan yang terlalu panjang ke belakang memberikan keunggulan 6-2 bagi Ginting.

Tunggal Putra Indonesia lainnya, Jonatan Christie menghempaskan Tunggal Putra Prancis Toma Junior Popov. Jojo menang rubber game dengan skor akhir 19-21, 21-11, dan 21-11.

Namun kedua tunggal putra Indoesia harus bertemu memperebutkan tempat di semifinal. Laga Ginting vs Jojo di perempat final Indonesia Open 2023 bakal berlangsung di Istora Senayan pada hari Jumat, 16/06/2023.

Laga terakhir di babak 16 besar, pertemuan antar sesama ganda putra Indonesia, Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan lolos ke perempat final setelah menang atas Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan.

Satu - satunya wakil Indonesia di nomor ganda putri, Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Ramadhanti tanpa kesulitan menang straight set 21-13, 21-10 atas Chaterine Choi/Josephine Wu, Fadi/Apri berarti lolos ke perempat final Indonesia Open 2023, hari Kamis, 15/06/2023.

Begitu juga dengan satu-satunya wakil Indonesa di sektor ganda campuran, Rinov Rivaldy dan Pitha Haningtyas Mentari mengalahkan wakil Malaysia, Tian Kian Meng, dengan skor 21-17 dan 21-16, yang berlangsung di Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta.

Nomor ganda putra, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin lolos ke perempat final Indonesia Open 2023 usai mengalahkan Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi di Istora Senayan, hari Kamis, 15/06/2023.

Usai bertanding, Leo mengatakan pencapaian ke perempat final tidak mudah. Dari hasil hari ini, ia bersama pasangan mainnya akan berusaha lebih baik lagi.

“Kita ucapkan alhamdulillah, kita juga sampai babak delapan besar, dan ini tidak mudah,” kata Daniel dalam jumpa pers usai pertandingan di Istora Senayan Jakarta.

“Kami bersyukur bisa diberikan kemudahan dan kelancaran di partai tadi, dan ini memacu kami untuk bermain lebih baik lagi,” imbuh Daniel.

Senada, Leo juga mengatakan lawannya hari ini tidak mudah untuk dikalahkan.

Pasalnya, pertahanan lawan dari Malaysia disebutnya sangat kuat dan tidak gampang mati.

“Bicara soal kualitas lawan, ini tidak mudah karena mereka defense-nya bagus dan tidak gampang mati. Kami terapkan pola dari pelatih dengan baik, meskipun di akhir gim (pertama) kami sempat terburu-buru,” kata Leo dikutip dari Antara, Kamis.

Dengan kemenangan ini, Leo/Daniel akan bertemu dengan pemenang dari laga antara wakil Jepang, Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi kontra andalan Korea Selatan, Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae di babak perempat final Indonesia Open 2023.

Satu lagi wakil Indonesia disektor ganda putra, yang sekarang menduduki peringkat ganda putra nomor satu dunia saat ini, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, merebut tiket perempat final indonesia Open 2023 usai mengandaskan Ren Xiang Yu/Tan Qiang wakil China.

Bertanding di kandang sendiri, Istora Senayan, Jakarta, hari Kamis, 15/06/2023, Fajar/Rian menang straight set langsung 21-14, 21-17.

Usai pertandingan, Rian mengatakan bahwa dirinya bersyukur karena hari ini berhasil menang, selain itu ia juga bersyukur karena ia dan Fajar tidak mengalami cedera saat bertanding.

“Kami bersyukur bisa main lancar dan tanpa cedera di hari ini. Lawan bermain sangat baik dan memiliki defense, speed, dan ulet (dalam permainannya). Di Singapore Open kita sudah pernah ketemu, jadi sebelum main saya diskusi sama pelatih dan Fajar untuk buat strategi yang benar,” kata Rian dalam konferensi pers di Istora Senayan Jakarta.

Dipantau dari laman Tournament Software, di awal gim pertama, Fajar/Rian bermain dominan sehingga mampu memimpin 9-3, lalu 11-8 saat interval.

Usai turun minum, Ren/Tan sempat menyamakan kedudukan 11-11. Fajar/Rian tak tinggal diam. Mereka meraih enam poin beruntun dan meninggalkan pasangan China, 17-11.

Tertinggal jauh, Ren/Tan hanya mampu mengumpulkan tiga poin sebelum akhirnya merelakan gim pertama menjadi milik Fajar/Rian, 21-14.

Di gim kedua, Fajar/Rian kembali mengawali gim secara impresif. Mereka melesat meninggalkan Ren/Tan 4-0 lalu unggul jauh 11-5 saat interval.

Ren/Tan tak mampu melampaui perolehan angka Fajar/Rian. Meski begitu, mereka sempat mendekat pada kedudukan 18-16.

Fajar/Rian akhirnya menyudahi perlawanan ganda putra China pada gim kedua dengan skor 21-17 sekaligus mengunci kemenangan dalam pertandingan ini.

Di perempat final, Fajar/Rian yang merupakan unggulan pertama turnamen, akan menghadapi wakil India, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty.

Rekap Hasil Babak 16 Besar Kapal Api Group Indonesia Open 2023

Ex-Pentagon Adviser Macgregor Calls Ukraine's Alleged Successes at Battlefield Meaningless

©Sputnik / Go to the mediabank

The Ukrainian military has not made any significant progress during the counteroffensive, as the areas where Kiev claimed it made gains were not even close to the battlefield or Russia's key defensive build-up, ex-Pentagon official and military historian Douglas Macgregor said.

"You begin to look at these reports of Ukrainian gains, you discover that in many cases the areas where they are claiming that they made gains are nowhere near the battlefield, they are not even in the security zone... I would tell you there have been no gains at all because everything always finished on the ability of the Ukrainian counteroffensive to reach the main defensive build-up, crack it, move through it in order to reach something of importance like Melitopol; it has not happened," Macgregor told the Judging Freedom show on YouTube.

Ukraine has touted its coming offensive since late 2022. It was first scheduled for the spring, then rescheduled to the summer. The Ukrainian government said the postponement was due to a shortage of weapons, all while pushing its Western donors to supply progressively heavier arms, including tanks, drones and fighter jets.

Ukrainian troops launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the South Donetsk direction on June 4 but failed to achieve their goals, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

France’s Le Pen says Crimea 'has nothing to do' with conflict in Ukraine

Crimea is an inseparable part of Russia and has nothing to do with today’s conflict in Ukraine, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the parliamentary faction of the National Rally party, told France Info radio on Thursday.

"Crimea has nothing to do with the conflict in Ukraine," she maintained. "Residents in Crimea decided to join Russia. This position was also shared by former French Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Valery Giscard d’Estaing, and I stand with them, too, that this issue has nothing to do with today’s conflict in Ukraine," emphasized Le Pen, who was incumbent French leader Emmanuel Macron’s main rival in the presidential election in 2017 as well as last year. According to the parliamentarian, "the conflict in Ukraine is related to the Minsk agreements, which do not concern Crimea."

Le Pen underlined that she views Crimea to be a part of Russia. "I have been saying this for 10 years already, and I have not changed my mind," the far-right politician said. She insists that "the Donbass issue should be central at talks to resolve the conflict in Ukraine."

Taking questions from members of the lower chamber of the French parliament, the National Assembly, in late May, Le Pen said she considers Crimea a legitimate Russian territory. The politician said she had her own impressions from her trips to the peninsula, where she talked to Crimean residents and could see for herself that they are more inclined towards Russia.

Crimea was transferred to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1954 at the initiative of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

After a coup in Ukraine in February 2014, the governments of Crimea and Sevastopol held a referendum on the peninsula’s reunification with Russia. The overwhelming majority of voters supported reunification (96.7% in the Republic of Crimea and 95.6% in the City of Sevastopol, respectively), with turnout reaching 80%. Despite the convincing results of the referendum, Kiev and the EU have refused to recognize Crimea as being part of Russia.

‘Monitor’ Russians like US did with Japanese in WWII – Czech president

Russians living in the West should be closely monitored by security services, Czech President Petr Pavel has argued. He mentioned the treatment of ethnic Japanese by the US during World War II as an example of wartime security measures.

Pavel made his case in an interview with the US government-funded outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Thursday.

“When there is an ongoing war, the security measures related to Russian nationals should be stricter than in normal times,” he said. “All Russians living in Western countries should be monitored much more than in the past.”

The Czech leader drew a comparison to the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II, which he described as a “strict monitoring regime” and “scrutiny of security services.”

“That’s simply the cost of war,” Pavel declared.

As tensions between the US and Imperial Japan grew, there was a growing suspicion of disloyalty in American society directed against ethnic Japanese. The mistrust was fueled by historic anti-Asian sentiment on the West Coast.

Two months after the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order, under which at least 125,000 such people, most of them US nationals, were forced to live in dozens of detention facilities around the country. The policy remained in place until 1946.

President Jimmy Carter authorized a commission to review the controversial decision and its effect on national security and advise on how to redress its victims. Its report, which was released in 1983, said the order was not justified by military necessity and rooted in racial prejudices and war hysteria.

“A grave injustice was done to Americans and resident aliens of Japanese ancestry who, without individual review or any probative evidence against them, were excluded, removed and detained by the United States during World War II,” the document said.

The conclusions were disputed by some media. A 1983 Washington Post article stated that a “significant number” of Japanese spies were living on the West Coast, giving Roosevelt a reason to act the way he did.

Russian Tornado-G MLRS Crews in Combat Action During Special Op

The Tornado-G Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a highly advanced military weapon system that provides long-range artillery support to ground forces. One of the key features of the Tornado-G MLRS is its ability to return rapid fire.

Russia's Defense Ministry has released a video of Tornado-G MLRS crews in combat action during the special military operation in Ukraine.

During the ongoing Kiev counteroffensive, the Russian Army has been crushing the enemy on land and in the air.

The Tornado-G MLRS is highly mobile, capable of being easily transported and rapidly deployed in different terrains.

Its mobility enables military units to reposition it swiftly and adapt to changing battlefield conditions, enhancing their tactical flexibility and survivability.